BUTIG, Lanao del Sur --Road connectivity in Lanao del Sur will now be enhanced with the newly-completed Maalungon bridge in the municipality of Butig.

Turned over on April 14, the pre-stressed bridge has a total capacity of 25 tons and measures 25 meters in length. It is worth P38-million and funded by the Ministry of Public Works through the General Appropriation Act 2019.

“Nakakataba ng puso na andito tayo ngayon upang pag-usapan ang development. Nasanay tayo na pag pumupunta tayo sa mga remote municipalities ay mayroong mga problema na pinag-uusapan,” MPW Deputy Minister Engr. Abdul Maomit Tomawis said during the turn over ceremony.

[It is heartening that we are here today to talk about development. We are used to the fact that when we go to remote municipalities there are problems to talk about.]

Tomawis said the bridge is one of the vital projects of the regional government.

“Isa tayo sa mga dumadaan diyan at minsan nahihirapan tayong makadaan lalo na pag malakas ang ulan,” he shared

[We are one of those who pass by there and sometimes it is difficult for us to pass especially when it is raining hard.]

Mando Dumato Panolong, a community leader in Butig thanked the Bangsamoro Government for the infrastructure project.

“This bridge will not only enhance road connectivity between Butig and nearby municipalities, but it will also improve the economic situation in our municipality,” he said in vernacular.

Meanwhile, Provincial Governor Mamintal “Bombit” Alonto Adiong Jr said the bridge shall be used by commuters of the province who will be passing by the soon-to-be-completed Butig-Barira Road going to the cities of Cotabato, Davao, and General Santos.

The project was formally accepted by Butig Mayor Atty. Dimnatang BL Pansar, who said, “it is with great honor to accept the recently completed bridge on behalf of the good people of Butig, and (we are) looking forward to more development projects.”

Dignitaries to the event included Deputy Chief Minister Aleem Ali Solaiman, Lanao 2nd District Engineer Maldamin Decampong, 103rd Infantry Brigade Commander BGen. Jose Maria Cuerpo III, among others. (Abdullah Matucan/BIO)